First printed in 1907, A History of the Laurel Brigade: Originally the Ashby Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia and Chew's Battery presents a nearly contemporary view of the lauded Confederate unit.
Recruited from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (with many troops volunteering from nearby Maryland), this Confederate cavalry unit fought under General Stonewall Jackson early in the Civil War. Led by one of the grandest "cavaliers" of them all―General Turner Ashby―until his death in early 1862, the unit eventually formed part of General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry corps, moving back and forth between the tidewater and the Valley as military necessity dictated.
"Of all the Confederate images that survive from the American Civil War, few surpass that of the Southern cavalry in its boldness, recklessness, and dash. One of the most famous mounted units to serve the Confederacy was the Laurel Brigade. [These] horsemen gained recognition for their determination and skill as warriors on the field, while at the same time acquiring a reputation for an indifference to military discipline and organization. In time the brigade matured, due in large part to a string of commanders who instilled discipline and turned the Laurel Brigade into one of the most versatile units in the army."―from the Introduction

A History of the Laurel Brigade: Originally the Ashby Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia and Chew's Battery

History

McDonald, William N.

Americas

Johns Hopkins University Press

A History of the Laurel Brigade

Washington, Bushrod C.

BiblioLife

Riding with the Comanches: The 35th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Confederate Army During the American Civil War

An outstanding Confederate cavalry unit during the American Civil War The Confederate cavalry unit that bore the name of the fearsome Indian tribe of the American south-west was, in fact, The 35th Virginia Cavalry Battalion, which was also known as White's Battalion or White's Rebels. It was raised by Elijah V. (Lige) White in Loudoun County, Virginia during the winter of 1861-62. The battalion-it was never large enough to be termed a regiment- was initially formed to operate as border guards along the Potomac River below Harpers Ferry, but was eventually mustered into the regular Southern states army, serving in the latter part of the war as part of the renowned Laurel Brigade. The Comanches also took part in partisan warfare throughout the war. The battalion was active during the Gettysburg Campaign,1863 particularly in the Battle of Brandy Station and it thereafter conducted a series of raids on Union-held railroads and defensive positions in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The battalion's battle history was an impressive one. These six companies-five from Virginia and one from Maryland-also fought during Jackson's Valley Campaign, The Waterford Fight, The Beefsteak Raid, The Battle of High Bridge and the Battle of Cedar Creek. An interesting extract from the history of the Laurel Brigade by McDonald accompanies the principal text. Includes photographs and illustrations not present in the original texts. Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.

Myers, Frank M.

Leonaur Ltd

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